2024 general election: All you need to know

When will the next general election be held?

The next UK general election will be held on Thursday 4 July 2024. This will be the seventh general election since the introduction of direct election using the first-past-the-post system in 1918.

What is a general election?

A general election is an election in which all of the seats in a country's parliament are up for election. In the UK, general elections are held every five years, and voters elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent them in the House of Commons. The party with the most MPs in the House of Commons forms the government.

Who can vote in the general election?

To be able to vote in the general election, you must be:

• Registered to vote
• Aged 18 or over on the day of the election
• A British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen
• Resident in the UK

How to register to vote

You can register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. You can also register by post by completing a form and returning it to your local electoral registration office.